ARAB NEWS: TEHRAN, Iran: An American woman detained for more than a year in Iran was released Tuesday on a bail of $500,000, according to state television, more than a year after she was jailed with two other Americans and accused of spying.The announcement came days after conflicting statements by Iranian authorities on whether Sarah Shourd would be released as the process was complicated by political feuds among the leadership and questions over how a payment could be made for her freedom without violating international sanctions.
The English-language Press TV reported only that Shourd, 32, had been released "on a bail of $500,000" but did not specify whether the money had been paid or give more details. Her family had said it was having difficulty raising the money.
Her lawyer, Masoud Shafiei, said Shourd had been released but was still undergoing formalities inside the Evin Prison, where she has been held in solitary confinement. He said he had no information about her departure route or any details about bail.
A spokesman for the Swiss Foreign Ministry, Lars Knuchel said the release had not been formally confirmed but "we are very confident that things are moving into the right direction." The US broke off ties with Iran after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and Switzerland handles US interests in Iran. Read on and comment >>> Associated Press | Tuesday, September 14, 2010
